Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Wataru Morishige of Japan competes in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Kazuya Yamada of Japan competes in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Wataru Morishige of Japan competes in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Kazuya Yamada of Japan competes in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Taiyo Nonomura of Japan competes in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Taiyo Nonomura of Japan competes in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Taiyo Nonomura of Japan competes in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

(From L) Silver medalist Jenning de Boo of the Netherlands, gold medalist Jordan Stolz of the United States and bronze medalist Ning Zhongyan of China pose for a photo on the podium during the medal ceremony for the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Ning Zhongyan (R) of China competes en route to winning the bronze medal in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Ning Zhongyan of China competes en route to winning the bronze medal in the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States celebrates after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States celebrates after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz (R) of the United States acknowledges the crowd after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States celebrates after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States acknowledges the crowd after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States acknowledges the crowd after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States acknowledges the crowd after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States acknowledges the crowd after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States acknowledges the crowd after winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event with an Olympic record at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States competes en route to winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States competes en route to winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Jordan Stolz of the United States competes en route to winning the men's 1,000-meter speed skating event at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

A lantern festival is under way in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2026, with an 11-meter object representing horses on display at a park near the city's Chinatown as 2026 marks the Year of Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

Lantern festival in Nagasaki

A lantern festival is under way in Nagasaki, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 11, 2026, with an 11-meter object representing horses on display at a park near the city's Chinatown as 2026 marks the Year of Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

Tokyo Deaflympics: Athletics

Tokyo Deaflympics: Athletics

Maki Yamada of Japan is pictured before the start of a race on Nov. 17, 2025, of the Tokyo Deaflympics at Komazawa Olympic Park's Athletic Field in Tokyo. Yamada, who is an actor, won golds in the men's 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay events and silver in the men's 200-meter event.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi (R) takes a selfie after winning the women's 1,000-meter bronze at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 9, 2026, with gold medalist Jutta Leerdam (C) and silver medalist Femke Kok, both of the Netherlands.

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Milan Cortina Olympics: Speed skating

Japanese speed skater Miho Takagi (R) takes a selfie after winning the women's 1,000-meter bronze at the Milan Cortina Olympics at Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan on Feb. 9, 2026, with gold medalist Jutta Leerdam (C) and silver medalist Femke Kok, both of the Netherlands.

Japan: Cold Front Stalls Over Hokkaido Bringing More Than One Meter Snow to Sapporo 2

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, leaving more than one meter of snow on the ground in Sapporo — the highest January total recorded in the city in decades. The persistent storm heavily disrupted transportation, leaving thousands stranded at New Chitose Airport.

Japan: Cold Front Stalls Over Hokkaido Bringing More Than One Meter Snow to Sapporo

A cold front stalled over Hokkaido on Sunday, January 25, leaving more than one meter of snow on the ground in Sapporo — the highest January total recorded in the city in decades. The persistent storm heavily disrupted transportation, leaving thousands stranded at New Chitose Airport.

Mexico: Massive Fire Destroys Plastics Factory in Xochimilco, Mexico City

A massive fire broke out at a 2,000-square-meter plastics factory in the La Noria area of Xochimilco, Mexico City, on Thursday, January 22, forcing at least 50 people to evacuate. Firefighters and Navy personnel brought the fire under control after several hours of work.

[Breaking News]Fire festival in Wakayama

KUSHIMOTO, Japan, Jan. 19 Kyodo - A 100,000 square-meter turf-covered field on a cape facing the Pacific Ocean is burned as a fire festival is held in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026. (Kyodo)

Fire festival in Wakayama

Fire festival in Wakayama

Local high school archery club members shoot flaming arrows to ignite a fire on a 100,000 square-meter turf-covered field during a fire festival on a cape facing the Pacific Ocean in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026.

Fire festival in Wakayama

Fire festival in Wakayama

A 100,000 square-meter turf-covered field on a cape facing the Pacific Ocean is burned as a fire festival is held in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026.

Fire festival in Wakayama

Fire festival in Wakayama

Local high school archery club members shoot flaming arrows to ignite a fire on a 100,000 square-meter turf-covered field during a fire festival on a cape facing the Pacific Ocean in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026.

Fire festival in Wakayama

Fire festival in Wakayama

A 100,000 square-meter turf-covered field on a cape facing the Pacific Ocean is burned as a fire festival is held in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, on Jan. 17, 2026.

Stained glass-made armor in Japan

Stained glass-made armor in Japan

A stained glass Japanese suit of armor is displayed at the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel in Nagoya, central Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026. The 2-meter tall artwork, created by Japanese artist Yoji Uchiyama, was recognized by Guinness World Records in April 2025 as "the largest stained glass sculpture of a samurai armor."

Stained glass-made armor in Japan

Stained glass-made armor in Japan

A stained glass Japanese suit of armor is displayed at the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel in Nagoya, central Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026. The 2-meter tall artwork, created by Japanese artist Yoji Uchiyama, was recognized by Guinness World Records in April 2025 as "the largest stained glass sculpture of a samurai armor."

Stained glass-made armor in Japan

Stained glass-made armor in Japan

A stained glass Japanese suit of armor is displayed at the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel in Nagoya, central Japan, on Jan. 7, 2026. The 2-meter tall artwork, created by Japanese artist Yoji Uchiyama, was recognized by Guinness World Records in April 2025 as "the largest stained glass sculpture of a samurai armor."

Netherlands: Historic Vondel Church in Amsterdam Destroyed by Massive New Year’s Fire

A massive fire devastated the historic 154-year-old Vondel Church in Amsterdam shortly after midnight on New Year's Day, causing its 50-meter tower and roof to collapse. While approximately 90 households were evacuated as a precaution, authorities confirmed there were no injuries.

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Effects of the rains on the Poyo ravine as it passes through Picanya and Paiporta, on December 29, 2025, in Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, in Carcaixent accumulated about 191 liters per square meter, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Jorge Gil / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Effects of the rains on the Poyo ravine as it passes through Picanya and Paiporta, on December 29, 2025, in Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, in Carcaixent accumulated about 191 liters per square meter, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Jorge Gil / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Effects of the rains on the Poyo ravine as it passes through Picanya and Paiporta, on December 29, 2025, in Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, in Carcaixent accumulated about 191 liters per square meter, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Jorge Gil / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Effects of the rains on the Poyo ravine as it passes through Picanya and Paiporta, on December 29, 2025, in Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, in Carcaixent accumulated about 191 liters per square meter, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Jorge Gil / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Effects of the rains on the Poyo ravine as it passes through Picanya and Paiporta, on December 29, 2025, in Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, in Carcaixent accumulated about 191 liters per square meter, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Jorge Gil / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Effects of the rains on the Poyo ravine as it passes through Picanya and Paiporta, on December 29, 2025, in Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, in Carcaixent accumulated about 191 liters per square meter, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Jorge Gil / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Effects of the rains on the Poyo ravine as it passes through Picanya and Paiporta, on December 29, 2025, in Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, in Carcaixent accumulated about 191 liters per square meter, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Jorge Gil / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

A person talks to a local police officer after the effects of the rains in the ravine area in Carcaixent, on December 29, 2025, in Carcaixent, Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed its banks, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, about 191 liters per square meter accumulated in Carcaixent, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Rober Solsona / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Effects of the rains in the area of the ravine in Carcaixent, on December 29, 2025, in Carcaixent, Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed its banks, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, about 191 liters per square meter accumulated in Carcaixent, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Rober Solsona / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Several people work after the effects of the rains in the area of the ravine in Carcaixent, on December 29, 2025, in Carcaixent, Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed its banks, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, about 191 liters per square meter accumulated in Carcaixent, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Rober Solsona / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

Consequences After the Rains in Valencia

A person works after the effects of the rains in the area of the ravine in Carcaixent, on December 29, 2025, in Carcaixent, Valencia, Valencian Community (Spain). Yesterday the Barxeta ravine overflowed its banks, causing the first floods in the area. According to the Agència Valenciana de Meteorologia, about 191 liters per square meter accumulated in Carcaixent, concentrated mainly in the last hours of heavy rain. Photo by Rober Solsona / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM